Signal casing



Oct. 8, 1929. c. M. JACOBSEN SIGNAL CASING Filed Nov. 25, 1928 INvE HT CHRISTIAN M. JACOBSEH Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHRISTIAN M. JACOBSEN, OF NEWCASTLE, INDIANA.

SIGNAL- casino Original application flied February 27, 1928, Serial No. 257,257. Divided and this application flied November 23, 1928. Serial No. 321,448.

This invention relates to improvements. in casing-structures intended for the retention and shelter of the lamp parts and display plates and fittings of signal devices carried 5. by automobiles, such signal devices compris-..

ing a multiple number of display or sign legends, and electric lamp devices for the illumination of same. 'In a casing structure of the class referred to it is essential that same maybe weatherproof, strong and durable; and that the maximum efliciency of the lamps used may be obtained, and also that the interior of the casing may be accessible for the purpose of replacements or renewal of the interior parts. v

The above desired advantages are obtained, and the objects of my invention are accomplished, by the new construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification. The invention is defined in the appended claims.

The several parts of my improved' signal casing, as they appear in the different views in the drawings, are identified by suitable characters of reference. The casing is shown as embodied in form suitable to be attached to motor driven vehicles of all kinds, and it is of the specific form and arrangement adapted for the lamp parts and indicator plates forming part of the equipment described in my application Serial Number 257 257, filed February 27, 1928, and ofwhich the present application is a division.

Figure. 3 is an enlarged frontal view. of

the structure as shown in Figure 1, portions of the sign display plate, and portions of the marginal securing members being broken away, disclosing to view-the partition webs that constitute the several compartments in which the lamp bulbs are retained.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section view taken on the line 4-4 and as viewed in the direction indicated by arrow 4 .in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view taken on line 5-5 in- Figure 3.

Figure 1 is a front view of my improved Figure 6 is an enlarged cross" section view 1 of the clamping and holding means, for uniting the display plate to the housing. I

My invention contemplates the providing of a box-like housing havin a flanged frontal opening, partitions in sai housing to constitute compartments therein adapted for the retention'of electric lighting devices, each of which said partitions extends to a plane substantially coincident with the plane of the face of the flanged opening, a gasket seated on'the flange, a sign bearing plate to rest against the said gasket, and means to close said opening and to draw and hold the plate and gasket to removable coengagement with the said flange.

In the present embodiment of my inven-. tion and which provides for an upper compartment, a central compartment, lateral compartments, and two lower compartments,

one above'the other, the means for closing the 0 ening and for.drawing and holding, the p ate and gasket into the clamped coen gagement with the flange of the housing, comprises a mask having webs to register with the faces of the said partitions and having its marginal portion to register with the marginal-portion ofthe plate, a rim frame having a continuously extendin shank to embrace theflange portion of t e housing,

mask, and tightening connections between v the shank of said rim frame and the exterior face of the flange ofthe housing.

The housing signal casing, is preferabl made of pressed sheet metal fashioned in t e general contour as shown in the drawings,.the sides 1 and 2, the top 3, and the bottom 4, being formed integral with the back 5. The marginal portion of this .box-like housing is provided with the continuously extending flange 6 of beveled formation in cross'section, as shown in Figure 4. and which said flange has the frontal face 6 and the rear face 6". An opening in the bottom 4 of the housing (see Figure 5) is formed by shearing on the'lines 7 and ,8, and it provides an outlet for the light af- -forded from the lowermost compartment.

That portion of the metal between said lines portion of my improved- 7 and 8 is bent downwardl and it constitutes a plate 9', as shown in Figures .1, 2 and 4. This plate 9 is provided with spaced holes 10 and it constitutes a sup rt forthe usual license number plate P w ich is required to be illuminated. The said license plate may be secured by clamp bolts having the wing nuts 11.

By virtue of the foregoing construction and com ination it is racticable to have the housing structure 0 the distinctive formation shown, the main portion being of width to provide for side-by-side signal designations, and the upper and lower portions being of lessened width. The compartments in the housin are constituted by light metal webs or partition plates 14, 15, 16 and 17. By this arrangement and construction there are provided the upper compartment, a central compartment, lateral compartments, a lower compartment, and a lowermost compartment,

designations being delineated on the sign late for said com artments, Turning, Parkmg, Right, Left, top, and Danger, respectively. By the eculiar arrangement as described. facility is afforded whereby the elec* tric bulbs for the illumination of said compartments, may be so retained that the most effective display of the signal designations on the sign plate is possible.

For the retention of the sockets for the several lamp bulbs necessary for said illumination, clamp brackets 20 of'the usual formation are secured to the inner face of the back late 5 so that the sockets and bulbs, as shown y the dotted lines, may occup the relative positions as shown plainly in igure 3. A

K di-electric bushing- 22 which is secured in a.

suitable pipening therefor in the said back plate 5, a ords proper insulation for the conductor cords (not shown) which are passed into the housing for connection to the lamp sockets. Secured to the rear face of the said back plate, is a sheet metal support arm 23 which is U shaped in cross section, and which shelters the opening in the back plate and the conductor cords which are' passed therethrough, and which also constitutes a support for the said housing. The extended portlons 23" of the said support arm are connected to a foot block 24, by a swivel connection 25. By means of the wmg nut 26, the sides 23" of the support arm may be clamped securely to the foot block, after the position of the said block, and the position of the housing, have been adjusted. By this arrangement and combination of parts it is practicable to readily secure the signal casing in position in connection with surfaces of any angle. The

foregoin structure is practicable of fabrication in s eet orv cast metal, all interior surfaces being readily accessible for finishing, and for the reception of such parts. as are to be disposed therein. The gasket 27 which is to be seated on the beveled face 6' of the housflange portion of the in flange 6, may be made of rubber or like of the gasket in its correctly seated position on the said flange 6. Upon the frontal face 27. and within the marginal rim 27 d of the said gasket, the marginal portions of the suitablyformed translucent or transparent glass plate 28 are readily seated. By this arrangement there is the weather and dust proof uniting of the glass late with the mouth or liousing. Adapted to be disposed immediately in front of the said plate 28, is a' mask member 30. This mask is made of relatively thin, stiff light sheet metal, and has its marginal portions of contour to register slightly beyond the edges of the glass plate 28. Web members 30* formed integral with the marginal portion of the said mask are of such formation as to close from view the frontal edges of the partitions of the housing, and to define distinctly the areas in which the characters of the signals appear on plate 28. The mask so constructed and arran ed constitute a shield for the protection of t e glass plate, and its marginal portions constitute an abutment against which the interior edge of the rim frame, presently to .be described, may have contact.

To unite the housing flange 6, the gasket 27, and the mask 30,2 I provide a rim frame 31. This rim frame is of contour to register with the marginal portion of the housing and is of hook shape in cross section, as shown in Figure 4. The inturned edge or lip 31 enages the outer surface of mask 30. In the ody portion or shank 31 of this rim frame, and spaced as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are cap screws 32. The location of these cap screws 32 is such, that their ends are adapted to engage directly the rear faces 6 of the casement flange 6. The several parts after having been assembled in the manner just described, are readily drawn to secured status, by the turning of the screws 32, the effect of which tightening, is to draw the glass plate and gasket into tightly clamped and binding jointure with the flanged mouth of the casement. Thus the mouth opening of the housing is closed against the weather, and the to prevent the passing of light from the slight s ace between the face of the partitionand t e glass plate 28, and to constitute a sharply defined framing of the area of the late upon which the signal characters are elineated.

' The said signal characters are preferably of white frosted eflect making them of maximum 'distinctness on an opaque or semiopaque field. The exterior surfaces of the housing, and of the mask may be finished by "electroplating or by the ap lication of nal systems of types comprising equipment .and circuits for a more or less number of signals. dVhereas I have shown my improveda lesser number of compartments and signal delineations, modification is easily made by simply the alteration of the positions of the partitions, and of the lamp bracket clamps, and of the web portion of the mask.

By obtaining the foregoing advantages, without the necessity of alteration orchange in the major details of construct-ion. material saving in the providing of these improved signal casings for a wide variety of purposes, is efl'ected. A signal casing constructed in accordance with my invention is suitable for use at the rearward, as well as the forward portion of the automobile, or other vehicle for a which it'may be intended.

Whereas in the present specification I have shown and described the embodiment and details of construction preferred for carrying my invention into effect, I am aware that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as same is defined in the appended claims. without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim as my invention, is:

1. A signal casing device, comprising a box like housing provided with a beveled marginal flange, partitions in said housing to constitute compartments therein, a weatherproof gasket seated on said beveled flange, and whose frontal face is provided with an interior shoulder, a sign bearing plate having its edge portions to rest in engagement with the frontal face and anterior shoulder resDectively, of the said gasket, a mask adapted to be disposed immediately in front of the sign bearing plate and having its edge portions to register with the edge portions of said plate, a rim frame, hook shaped in cross section. the

shank portions of which .embrace the ante-.

engages the marginal portions of the mask.'

said beveled flange, and whose frontal face is provided with an anterior shoulder, a sign bearing plate having its edge portions to rest in engagement with the frontal face and ante its edge portions to register with the edge por- I tions of the plate, a rim frame, hook shaped in cross section, the shank portions of which embrace the anterior edge of said flange, and

connections between said rim frame and the housing to draw therim frame'to and to hold same in position whereby to hold the plate, the gasket and the mask in close fitting but removable engagement with the said flange.

3. A signal device casing, comprising a housing having its walls of formation to provide a frontal opening, the edge portions thereof being flared at an oblique angle to constitute a beveled flange, a gasket having a beveled rear face and an interior heel to engage the frontal face and the interior edge, respectively, of the said flange, and the frontal face of the gasket being provided with an anterior shoulder, a sign-bearing plate having its edge portions to rest in. engagement with .the frontal face and anterior shoulder, respectively, of the saidgasket, a rim frame hook-shaped in cross section and whose body portion is adapted to embrace the said beveled flange, and whose inturned lip is adapted to engage the frontal face of the said sign-bearing plates, and screws threaded through the said shank and adapted to impinge against the rear face of said beveled flange.

4. A signal casing of the kind described,

comprising a box-like housing provided with a beveled marginal flange, partitions in said housing to constitute compartments therein, a weatherproof gasket seated on said beveled flange, a translucent plate to rest against said gasket, a rim frame hook-shaped in cross section the shank portions of which embrace the anterior edge of said flange and the lip por- 1 flange.

CHRISTIAN M. J ACOBSEN.

and screws threaded through the shank'portions of the rim frame to engagement with the rear faces of the beveled flange of the housing.

2. A signal casing device, comprising a box like housing provided with a beveled marginal flange, a weatherproof gasket seated on 

